Adley Walton Hemphill passed away peacefully April 2, 2025 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst after a brief illness surrounded by his wife and son.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania December 19, 1925, to Mary Ella Walton Hemphill and Adley Wheeler Hemphill. He graduated from Peabody High School in Pittsburgh and went on to graduate from Grove City College where he achieved a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering and later was recognized as an Outstanding Alumni at Grove City. He also received his Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Pittsburgh, and completed post graduate doctorial work at Purdue University.
After completing his education, he married Grace Denman and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He began his 37-year career with Davison Chemical Company which was later purchased by WR Grace. Upon retirement, he had achieved the positions of President of Davison Chemical and Senior Vice President of WR Grace. It was during his 35 years in Baltimore that he and his wife raised three sons in Catonsville, MD before his retirement.
Adley retired in 1987 and moved to Pinehurst where he embraced all that the Sandhills has to offer. In his retirement he developed a passion for gardening and loved to share the fruits of his labors. He also spent many enjoyable hours in his shop woodworking where he delighted in making things for others.
Adley and his first wife Grace were married 41 years until she passed away in 1992. Adley married Sara Little in 1994 with whom he shared 30 years of marriage. He is survived by three sons, Adley (Peggy) Hemphill of Saint Louis, MO, John (Yvonne) Hemphill of Savannah, GA, and David (Lisa) Hemphill of Alton, Illinois. In addition, he had three step children, Mary Michele Nidiffer (Jim) of Raleigh, NC, Kenneth Little of Pinehurst, and Kristen (Steve) Groner of Pinehurst. In addition to eleven grandchildren he had one great grandchild, named Adley. He was predeceased by his brother, John Boyd Hemphill.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Southern Pines First Baptist Church, 200 East New York Avenue, Southern Pines, NC, 28387 at 11:00 am on Friday, April 11, 2025. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to consider a donation to Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care, 1500 West Indiana Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387, or Family Promise of Moore County, 400 Saunders Blvd., Aberdeen, NC 28315.
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home, Southern Pines.
